This piece was composed originally for the lute by Daniel Batchelar who was born on the 16th of March 1572. Coincidentally today is actually the anniversary of his birth!
He was an English lutenist and composer. Of all the English lutenist-composers, he is now credited as probably being the most successful in his own lifetime.
He composed over 50 lute pieces when he worked as a groom of the privy chamber for Queen Anne of Denmark. It was here that he composed the Mounsier's Almaine , which is actually a set of variations of a popular tune of the same name.
He's also composed many pavans, galliards, almaines and fantasies. Elizabeth Roche, reviewing a CD of his work for the Daily Telegraph commented on the current neglect of Bacheler's music, suggesting that one reason is the "difficulty of his ornamental style, including arpeggios, trills, and even the dazzling tremolos that conclude his variations on Monsieurs Almaine".
That being said this was a really challenging piece for me to record. I tried my best and I really hope you enjoy it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.BATCHELAR!!
